Telephone No.2343666/2347093 .

AVATAR PERPETUAL PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST KING’S ROAD, POST BAG NO. 31, AHMEDNAGAR, (M.S.) 414 001.

CHAIRMAN SHRIDHAR G. KELKAR 16 th Oct. 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Beloved Avatar Meher Baba,

The forty-ninth Amartithi of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba falls on Wednesday, 31 st January, 2018. For this sacred occasion it is expected that pilgrims from all over India and around the world will be visiting the Tomb-Shrine of Avatar Meher Baba at Meherabad Hill, Ahmednagar (M.S.) India to take part in the, Educational Gathering. The observance of the forty-ninth Amartithi (Anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s Darshan) will be for two days, i.e. 30th January morning to noon of 1st February, 2018. The main function, as usual, will be on 31 st January 2018.

Observation of Silence from 12 noon to 12:15 pm on 31 st January at Beloved Avatar Meher Baba’s Samadhi is the most significant event during Amartithi Days. It has been observed that some pilgrims, who may be new to Beloved Baba, are not aware of this and instead visit different places at Meherabad during this time. It is therefore important that all Centres impress upon Baba lovers the importance of this programme so that they will be in attendance at the Samadhi during the observance of silence.

By Beloved Baba’s grace, it will be made possible for pilgrims visiting the Tomb-Shrine of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba, for the forty-ninth Amartithi, to stay at the Meherabad Estate from 6:00 a.m. of 30 th January to 12 noon of 1 st February, 2018.

ATTENTION

Darshan of Beloved Avatar Meher Baba will be available inside the Tomb Shrine through a regulated queue designated specifically for this occasion. However, due to the influx of pilgrims during Amartithi, it is requested for the benefit of all pilgrims to take the least time possible for Darshan and to take Darshan only once on 31st January, 2018.

QUEUE TOKEN SYSTEM

During Amartithi, from 6 am on 30th January until 12 noon on 1st February 2018, a wooden railing will be placed in front of the sacred marble. Instead of bowing down, pilgrims may enter the Samadhi and take Darshan by reaching over the railing and touching the marble . We are continuing our Queue Token System. After collecting a single token with a number on it, each Pilgrim will be free to move about until the number on his/her token number is announced and displayed on the signboards. THE PILGRIMS SHOULD JOIN THE QUEUE WHEN THEIR NUMBER IS DISPLAYED. Please be alert because if your number has passed through the Darshan line and the next higher number has also passed, you will miss your turn and will require a new token. Because of the changed arrangement for Darshan the token numbers will change much faster . Pilgrim should be extra alert to avoid missing the number and losing their turn for Darshan.

A. REGARDING ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:

Please note:

1. Pilgrims should not arrive at Meherabad before 6:00 a.m., on 30 th January, 2018, and should leave Meherabad around 12 noon, on 1 st February, 2018. 2. There will be stalls selling light refreshment and meals at Lower Meherabad, New Site, Pilgrim Education Site and Upper Meherabad till early afternoon on 1 st February, 2018. 3. There will be separate lodging arrangements for men and for women at Meherabad as usual. Pilgrims are reminded that they should continue to abide by Beloved Baba’s wishes, as expressed by Him in the 1958 Sahavas, that men and women pilgrims should stay in their own quarters and not visit, enter, or rest in each other's quarters. Pilgrims should lovingly cooperate with the Management in this matter and the Management reserves the right to caution any pilgrim who fails to abide by Beloved Baba’s wishes as mentioned above. 4. Pilgrims are requested to bring warm clothes, blankets, bedding with mattress, and flashlights (torch). The quarters for men and women are separate; so to avoid confusion it is advised that men and women of the same family pack separate bags, and bundle their bedding rolls separately BEFORE their arrival at Meherabad. 5. Meherabad Management requests all the pilgrims to use water very sparingly. Hot water for bathing will be provided from 11:00 p.m., 30 th January to 7:00 a.m., 31 st January. 6. Pilgrims in the close vicinity of the Samadhi are requested to do their utmost to maintain the sanctity of the Tomb-Shrine.

B. REGARDING LODGING ARRANGEMENTS:

Please note:

1. In order to make it easier for pilgrims who wish to be accommodated at Meherabad for the Educational Gathering, the Trust will receive such requests directly. 2. Pilgrims who wish to be accommodated at Meherabad for the Educational Gathering must send an amount of Rs. 50/- per person for lodging arrangements directly to the Trust. Children above 7 years will be charged for lodging while those below 7 years will be accommodated free. Children above 7 years who do not have token,will not be allowed to enter in Tent/Hostel. 3. Such amounts are called “AMARTITHI DONATIONS,” and they must be sent to the Trust as follows:

AMARTITHI DONATIONS Avatar Meher Baba P. P. C. Trust King’s Road, Post Bag No.31, Ahmednagar, M. S. 414 001. Please DO NOT forward Amartithi Donations to the Meherabad Office.

1. Nowadays, the post office send the money order electronically and hence the message portion that mentions number of men and women(including children above 7 years) is not received by us. So, please include this information in the sender’s name on the money order form like—

Sender’s Name—X X X X (----Men + ----Women) Address ------Mobile No. ------Also send a separate post card giving the details of money order and number of men and women and also your mobile nos. This will help us to correctly register the number of men and women and also send mobile SMS confirming registration.

1. Pilgrims will be accommodated at Meherabad during Amartithi days only if the words “AMARTITHI DONATIONS” are mentioned on the Money Order Coupons. 2. A Bank Draft (D.D.) to A.M.B.P.P.C.T. can be accepted provided a separate letter is sent along with it, clearly giving the details of the number of men, women and children and the letter must mention the purpose as “AMARTITHI DONATIONS”. The sender should also provide his Mobile No.

IMPORTANT These lodging requests have to be earmarked as “AMARTITHI DONATIONS”, otherwise such amounts will be considered as donations to the Trust and the sender will NOT have lodging accommodations at Meherabad. Please note that the Trust will not post separate receipts to pilgrims for the special Amartithi Donations received through Money Orders. Instead, Money Order Acknowledgements will be sent which will bear the serial numbers of Entry Tokens. Pilgrims must bring these M.O. Acknowledgements with them when they come. However, money received through Demand Draft will be acknowledged by the Trust through a Receipt, bearing the Entry Token serial numbers.

3. Pilgrims are requested to be very particular to give their full names, addresses and Mobile Number in BLOCK LETTERS on the Money Order Forms. They must also REMEMBER to bring to Meherabad the Money Order Acknowledgement Receipt or M.O. receipt if our acknowledgement is not received or the receipt from the Trust giving the serial number of their Entry Tokens. This will entitle them to receive ENTRY TOKENS for their lodging from the Trust at the Enquiry Office or Sub-Enquiry Office upon their arrival at Meherabad on 30 th January, 2018.

4. AMARTITHI DONATIONS must not be sent later than 7 th January, 2018; as these late requests cause much inconvenience to the Meherabad Management and to the pilgrims themselves.

5. The Trust will have a separate cell (Amartithi Donations account) for Amartithi Arrangements. This cell will receive the above mentioned donations. Please note that the donation of Rs. 50/- per person does not meet the entire expenditure for the lodging arrangements for a pilgrim such as preparation of grounds, erecting temporary shelters, tarpaulins, water, electricity and several other expenses. In addition to this, the Trust provides facilities for the Gathering at Upper Meherabad. Therefore, the Trust always subsidizes the balance of the lodging expenditure. The pilgrims pay Rs.50/- per person only as a token amount and not for all the facilities provided.

Please note that those who register at the Enquiry Office on the 30 th or 31 st , and not before, will have to pay Rs. 50/- extra towards Amartithi Donations. (Total Rs. 100/-)

6. KITCHEN FACILITY: Groups of pilgrims who wish to cook their own food will be accommodated and provided kitchen facility at NEW SITE. This New Site is at Upper Meherabad not too far from the Samadhi. Therefore, groups who wish to cook their own food in the kitchens must inform Trustee Shri Jal P. Dastoor, c/o Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust, King’s Road, Post Bag No.31, Ahmednagar (M.S.) 414 001 through letters which Jal must receive by the last week of December 2016. Also, when these kitchen-groups of pilgrims send their money to the Trust (and not to Jal Dastoor) for their lodging, they must make special mention that they wish to lodge at the New Site . Special Entry Tokens will be prepared for such pilgrims, and upon their arrival at Meherabad they will have to collect Special Entry Tokens and Kitchen Number only from the Sub-Enquiry Office at the New Site.

7. During Amartithi, in spite of police and security arrangements, some thefts do occur. Therefore, pilgrims are cautioned to be very careful with their valuables, especially of their purses, pouches, Gold Ornaments,Mobiles, cameras and other items carried by hand, specially so while going for the bath or having meals in the canteen. At no time should these be left in a public area unattended. For their safety, pilgrims are asked to wear their Entry Tokens at all times and volunteers are deputed to inquire of anyone seen without a token.

8. The mattress Contractor is able to rent a limited number of mattresses at the rate of Rs. 60/- per mattress for the entire period. To ensure having a mattress, pilgrims are requested to send a Money Order to the Contractor in advance to reserve the Mattresses.

Mattresses: Mrs. Usha Ashok Shete, Bungalow No.93, Ushahkal, Anandnagar, Gulmohor Road Savedi, AHMEDNAGAR - 414 003 (M.S.)

9. The Money Order Acknowledgement received from the Contractor must be brought by the Pilgrims to receive the mattress. In addition to the hire charges of Rs. 60/- per mattress, the Contractor will collect Rs. 50/- as deposit per mattress at the time of issuing the mattress. The deposit will be refunded when the mattresses are returned to the Contractor.

NOTE: DO NOT send hire charges for mattresses to the Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C. Trust. Send to the Trust only “AMARTITHI DONATIONS” for accommodation and NOT for mattresses.

10. Pilgrims are requested that before they leave their Tents/Hostels for the programme on the Hill on 1 st February morning, they must deposit their luggage at Hostel B for Lower Meherabad pilgrims and Tent F for New Site pilgrims without fail and collect the same before their departure.

On 1 st February, the Amartithi programme will definitely close by 1 pm so that the pilgrims can leave Meherabad. Only those performances which are listed on the 1 st February Programme will be allowed. No one should insist on any extra singing, etc.

C. REGARDING BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS:

Please Note:

1. There will be stalls erected by local vendors at Lower and Upper Meherabad where pilgrims can purchase light refreshment and meals during their stay at Meherabad.

D. REGARDING TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS:

Please Note: There is a second S.T. Bus Stand in the Tarakpur area of Ahmednagar. However, Pilgrims should alight at City Bus Stand. 1. State Transport authorities will be requested to ply their buses from Ahmednagar Railway Station and City S.T. Bus Stand to and from Meherabad at fixed hours on 30 th and 31 st January, 2018 and on 1 st February, 2018. 2. Volunteers wearing Baba badges will be at the Railway Station and Bus Stand to guide pilgrims visiting Meherabad. 3. ON Tuesday 30 TH JANUARY, 2018:

A. State Transport Buses will go to Meherabad from the Ahmednagar Railway Station from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., according to train timings. B. Extra State Transport buses will go to Meherabad from the S.T. Bus Stand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pilgrims arriving before 7:00 a.m. may take a regular S.T. Bus to Meherabad (Arangaon).

4. ON Wednesday 31 ST JANUARY, 2018:

A. State Transport buses will go to Meherabad from the S.T. Bus Stand via Ahmednagar Railway Station from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. B. Return Journey: Extra State Transport buses will go from Meherabad to Ahmednagar Railway Station and S.T. Bus Stand from 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 31 st January, 2018.

5. ON Thursday 1 ST FEBRUARY, 2018:

A) Extra State Transport buses will go from Meherabad to Ahmednagar (Railway Station and S.T. Bus Stand) from 5:30 a.m. onwards.

6. Pilgrims arriving from outstations by special buses, or by private cars, or by hired taxis are requested not to take their vehicles up to Meherabad Hill because there is parking for Trust vehicles only on the Hill . Vehicles should be parked only in the parking zone at the New Site or Lower Meherabad. Washing of vehicles at Meherabad is prohibited; Drivers and Cleaners should be instructed accordingly by the concerned parties. This should be strictly observed.

7. Please note that entry Permits for buses must be obtained before departure by those coming into State by special buses from other states.

8. MEHERAZAD WILL BE CLOSED JANUARY 26 TH THROUGH FEBRUARY 3rd. THIS INCLUDES ALL AMARTITHI DAYS (30 th January through 1 st February). Hence pilgrims should NOT visit Meherazad during these days for any purpose whatsoever, whether by public bus, private bus, car or rickshaw. Meherazad will be open for pilgrims on Sunday 4th February, 2018. Facilities at Dharamshala and Hostels will be closed from 25 th January to 3 rd February, 2018.

Tuesday 30 th January, 2018.

PLACE: The holy Tomb-Shrine of Avatar Meher Baba on Meherabad Hill, Ahmednagar (M.S.) India.

PROGRAMME

Arrival of Meher Pilgrims at Lower Meherabad; Sl. 6:00 a.m. onwards New Site, Pilgrim Education Site 1. 6.30 a.m. Darshan and Prasad at Tomb. 2. 2:00 p.m. onwards Prem-Meelan on Hill. 3. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bhajans, dance and drama. 4. 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Film of Avatar Meher Baba or special programme on the Hill. 5. 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sahavas on the Hill

Jai Baba! Wednesday 31 st January, 2018.

Sl. 7:00 a.m. Lighting of the Dhuni All pilgrims assemble on the Hill. Prem-Meelan of pilgrims and singing by 1. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. bhajan of different Meher Centres. 2. 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Welcome address by the Chairman. 3. 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Announcements. 4. 11:45 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Playing song of “Begin the Beguine” 5. 11:50 a.m. to 12 noon Meher Dhun 6. 11:55 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Darshan at the Tomb stopped. 7. 12 noon to 12:15 p.m. All present to observe complete silence. The Master’s and Repentance Prayers followed by Arti. Darshan at the 8. 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tomb resumes from 12:15 p.m. 9. 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Songs and bhajans on the Hill. 10. 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m RECESS for meals down the Hill. 11. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Baba programme on the Hill. 12. 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Film of Avatar Meher Baba. 13. 8:00 p.m. RECESS for meals down the Hill. 14. 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sahavas on the Hill. Additional programmes on the Hill.

Jai Baba! Thursday 1 st February, 2018.

Bhajans on the Hill.Programme ends with Arti. Prepare 1 7.00a.m.to1.00 p.m. for departure.

E. DISTRIBUTION OF PRASAD AT SAMADHI ON 31 ST JANUARY

1. On 31 st January Samadhi management faces acute problem of distribution of cooked Prasad such as lemon rice, sheera (sweet rava) and other cooked items. Hence no cooked Prasad BUT ONLY WRAPPED DRY PRASAD WILL BE ALLOWED to be distributed near the Samadhi. 2. All centers and individuals desirous of distribution of Prasad will have to apply in advance to Trustee Ramesh Jangle advising what kind of dry Prasad they wish to distribute. Brother Ramesh Jangle will advise time slot for distribution of Prasad so that the Prasad is evenly distributed during the entire day. PLEASE NOTE THAT LAST MINUTE REQUESTS ON THE AMARTITHI DAY WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.

Jai Baba! NOTE: REQUESTING SPOTS in the AMARTITHI PROGRAMME Baba's lovers from different Meher Baba Centres and Foreign pilgrims desirous of offering sings and other programmes on the Amartithi occasion should do the following: 1) For early replies please email to: mnath [email protected] 2) Only if email is not available write to: Trustee Shri Mehernath B.Kalchuri, Avatar Meher Baba P.P.C.Trust,King's Road, Post Bag 31, Ahmednagar-414001 (M.S.)

Deadline for submitting requests: 31st December 2017, The requests will be accommodated, time permitting, within the programme schedule. We lovingly request all participants accept their allotted timings as no changes will be accepted. It will not be possible to accept late requests on arrival. Please confirm your programme spot with the AMBPPC Trust website: https://www.ambppct.org prior to Amartithi or the posted programme at Amartithi. ALL ARE HEARTILY WELCOME TO ATTEND AVATAR MEHER BABA’S FORTY-NINTH AMARTITHI FUNCTION ON MEHERABAD HILL. Please pass on the above information of the Amartithi programme to all the lovers of Avatar Meher Baba in your area. JAI AVATAR MEHER BABA !!! IN AVATAR MEHER BABA’S SERVICE,

(S.G. KELKAR) CHAIRMAN NOTE: There is no need for any correspondence with the Trust Office on the subject of Amartithi programme and arrangements.

FROM : AVATAR MEHER BABA PERPETUAL PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST King’s Road, Post Bag 31, Ahmednagar 414 001 (Maharashtra State) India.